So, I'm no stranger to programming / computers (it is my livelihood after all) and am interested in taking a look into tuning and what I can do with a bit of software to my MINI!

With that said, I apologize if there is a thread already with the info! I promise I looked (and even Googled). What are the basics for getting started (I don't need a step by step guide, but general info would be nice)? I am assuming that a OBD-II adapter (looking at getting a Bluetooth one) and I'm assuming some software already exists that does more than the basic OBD-II codes?

I looked into NCSExpert but not certain if that is just additional settings I can change on the MINI or actual ECU tuning?

Also if you have any advice or comments about what to do once I've gotten that far I'd appreciate it! I've never attempted anything like this before so its a bit of a challenge!

Thanks!

 

what language do you write?

 

Java, C, C++, PHP, Perl, and I can pick up most languages relatively quickly if needed.

 

Don't know what kind of engine you have, but I am assuming you have a turbo....here is some info.

Here is a product to help you:
http://http://www.altaperformance.com/products/show/683

And here is a long thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rt-thread.html

 

From what I've gathered, you need to find a way to download the ecu firmware, figure how to read it, modify it, and flash the ecu with new firmware. I've been searching the google and it seems like the tuners like to keep it a secret for obvious reasons.

If you want to create an open source project or otherwise, I can help you program, I live in rochester too. I'm thinking about an app that uses a dyno chart generated from the accelerometer of iphone or android phone and using that data to generate a set of values to plug into the firmware.

 

Sounds like we are on the same page. I'm probably going to order a OBD-II reader and see what I can do with it but I'm sure it's going to be a lot of trial and error. Since you are in the Rochester area we should meet up, in fact this Saturday there is a run and we could chat there about some ideas! Here is the info on the run if you are interested.

 

Once the ECU is cracked and you can look at the data, the programming skills might help to interpret the car's computers but I imagine typical computer (PC) stuff is not going to be super helpful in the tuning aspect of the car. Good luck and be safe.

 

That's half the battle! Once we know how to access the ECU and can determine what portions of the binary (assuming it is a binary) do what then I know that I will definitely need some help to actually make it all useful (aka into a tune that does something).

 

nerds.....LOL good luck!!!!!

 

I'll take that as a compliment

 

Nerds - Taking over the world one bit at a time.
Kevin

 

Check this out, thier program is quite nice you can use it to make any changes you fancy to your ecu. http://www.mynesperformance.com/

 

Not sure if it is true for the ECU, but the BCM stuff that people change with NCS Expert is usually in German, one more hurdle.

 

I'm wondering if I can access the ECU using one of these OBD II adaptors (really just makes it a serial port for use on a computer / smartphone / etc). I'm assuming it can...but suppose I'll have to test it out!

http://www.scantool.net/scan-tools/p...bluetooth.html

 

I have a Kiwi Wifi and waiting on their SDK team to email me what the possibilities are.

 

Awesome, that also turned up in my search as a possible purchase! Let me know what they say

 

If it's a 1st gen car the only way to get in the ECU is either ByteTroniK (less than $1000 for the complete package), DimSport ($10,000 and up), and theres a couple others in europe (compeditive with DimSport).

NCS is just to controll the BCM (Body Controll Modual) it has nothing to do with ECU tuning.

A real tuning program looks like this, and there are over 40 other maps just like it that need to be adjusted precicely so you dont end up blowing your motor.



If you have an R56, and dont have $10,000+ laying around youre screwed, there is NO way into the ECU.

Tuning takes more than computer knowledge, you need to know exactly how engines, fuel injection systems, and modern computer controlled equipment works. Its not just add a code and youre tuned.

Leave it to the pros, or find a way to learn what to do before you begin. It's a lot cheaper that way.

*Image from ByteTroniK* (It's a STOCK timing map so dont get any ideas.)

 

I never said it was easy, but the fact that these tools exist proves that it is possible. The reason why it costs so much is purely based upon the market. There are other tools out there as well for ECUs of other vehicles as well, they all perform the same needs to remap all the parameters.

Part of the task is finding the way to do it and if I do great, if I get bored before it happens then so be it.

Thanks for pointing me in the correct direction, was pretty sure that it wasn't correlated but had to ask. However, you have cleared up a question about what NCSExpert and maybe that could be a project too.

I never said it was just us writing a program and bam its done. To properly write the program we have to understand the binary dump from the ECU and where each map is stored so it can be properly rewritten. I never said it was a simple task, but technically tuning also takes more than just how engines work since somebody wrote the programs to give access to these wonderful sections in the ECU. It also isn't just a new set of maps and settings and you're tuned after all.

In a complex closed system I'm not about to go in and start changing bits and hope it all comes out peachy, its going to take a while to get to a reasonable understanding of the ECU let alone writing the program to automate it.

 

This pice of your last post holds a lot of weight in what you are doing. No it's not just understanding how everything works, but you need to be able to read information on how the engine is running, and you need a basic idea of what "SAFE" peramiters are for the engine to be running in. Everything in the ECU does something, and you need to understand what does what, how the adaptations are going to afect your changes, and not to mention you need to write an entire S/W program, just to gain access into the ECU to make changes to it. That means MONTHS of decyphering binary code, then figureing out what each thread of that code does, finding out how you can alter that code to suit your needs, and adding that to your custom program.
It took MYNES over a year to get the first version of ByteTroniK and FullAccess into a workable prototype. Plus they already had a program to base the system off of (ECUflash).
I'm not entirely sure you know what exactly you are getting yourself into. Starting from scratch there is a HIGH POSSIBILITY of turning your ECU into a BRICK multiple times before you even get far enough to wory about turning your engine into a paperweight.
I'm not trying to be a (see my screen name) here, but if you really plan on making any of this work, you better have the time, money, and knowledge to get the job done. Jay, has been working on decoding the R56 since 2009, and he still hasnt got far enough to release FullAccess56.

If you think you can do it though, I say go for it! People with dreams is what our comunity needs, and I will follow all the progress you make, good or bad.

 

lets hack the **** out of the mini cereal! launch control anyone? okay maybe just a little bit too ambitious =p

 

DICKS GARAGE R53,
Thanks for the pointers and everything. Once we've retrieved the ECU and are at our first attempt to write to it I'll end up making sure I have an EEPROM writter available before hand. That should reduce the risk a bit, as far as using out of spec parameters, well I do have to admit there is only so much I will be able to do and that will require more community effort there.

donjulio,
Absolutely! I'm doing tons of research as much as I can at the moment so who knows what we'll find.

 

Launch controll is possible with the R56 it was actually discovered in the factory code. (Cut ignition, dump fuel= launch controll)

It is in theory even possible with the R53 series.